India arrests four Nigerians in drug crackdown

At least four Nigerians have been arrested in separate anti-narcotics operations in India.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Wednesday that one of the suspects, Ugochukwu Nwabugo, sustained injuries after she allegedly jumped from the sixth floor of a residential building while attempting to evade arrest during a raid by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau.

According to The Indian Express on Wednesday, the incident occurred on Monday night in Gandhi Colony, Mehrauli, South Delhi, during an operation carried out by the NCB following intelligence on alleged narcotics trafficking.

The anti-narcotics agency said its operatives stormed the apartment after receiving a tip-off. It alleged that the occupants attempted to destroy evidence by flushing narcotic substances down the toilet.

The NCB claimed that its officers also discovered traces of cocaine on the walls of the apartment and on the bodies of the suspects.

The agency said it recovered 318 grams of cocaine and six grams of heroin during the operation.

The report added that two other Nigerians, identified as Gabriel Uchenna and Igwe Joshua, were arrested at the scene.

The NCB said the suspect sustained injuries to her head, back, and leg.

“During the search, another Nigerian national, identified as Ugochukwu Nwabugo, allegedly attempted to flee by jumping from the sixth floor of the building,” the agency said.

The anti-drug agency said its officers immediately evacuated the injured woman to Fortis Hospital before she was referred to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for specialised treatment.

According to the agency, she is currently receiving treatment at AIIMS and is recovering from her injuries.

“She is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS and is recovering from her injuries,” the NCB said.

The agency added that investigations into the case were ongoing.

Meanwhile, another Nigerian has been arrested in connection with the seizure of 5 kilograms of ganja (cannabis) during a separate operation in Navelim.

According to The Voice of Goa, Margao Police operatives arrested the suspect, identified as Igwe Chinudde, in Morjim as part of an ongoing narcotics case investigation.

The report noted that the arrest came two days after the police arrested Mohammad Azharuddin Nur Mohammad following the recovery of 5kg of cannabis during the course of the investigation.

The publication reported that investigators subsequently traced Chinudde’s alleged connection to the case, leading to his arrest.

While announcing the development, the police said efforts were continuing to uncover the full scope of the suspected drug network and identify other persons who may have been involved.

“Further investigations are underway to identify other individuals connected to the case,” the police stated.

The incident is the latest in a series of similar anti-narcotics operations involving Nigerian nationals in Delhi.

In June, a 41-year-old Nigerian woman reportedly died after allegedly jumping from the fourth floor of a residential building during a Delhi Police Anti-Narcotics Squad raid on a suspected synthetic drug manufacturing unit in Swaroop Nagar, where officers recovered chemicals, laboratory equipment, and suspected narcotic substances.

It also noted that in 2017, another Nigerian national allegedly died after jumping from the fourth floor of a building in Chhatarpur during a Special Cell raid, with police claiming he attempted to evade arrest after spotting the raiding team. (Punch)